Knife-wielding suspect hospitalized followingofficer-involved shooting
Imperial County Sheriff deputies shot at a suspect who allegedly tried to stab them while he was being transferred to another vehicle over the weekend. The incident still has many questions left unanswered.
It was in a patrol unit where deputies said 23-year-old Antonio Torres tried to stab a deputy mid-transit to Imperial County Jail.
Deputies arrested Torres for the suspected burglary of a Chevron convenience store and breaking into a vehicle in Winterhaven Saturday morning.
Lt. Jimmy Duran, of the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, said, “As he sees the subject running, he immediately recognizes him as the subject who broke into the convenience store. This is based on some of the footage that he had observed.”
Deputies later connected Torres to a stolen vehicle nearby.
“We believe he was heading to Mexico with a stolen vehicle when he ran out of gas and that’s how he ended up in our county,” Duran said.
ICSO said as the suspect was being transferred to another patrol unit mid-transit, he lunged towards the deputy with a knife from the back seat.
“The deputy pulls or opens the rear door to allow for the suspect to exit the vehicle. He comes out and begins to attempt to stab the deputy with a knife,” said Duran.
Authorities added that one of the deputies responded to the threat by shooting Torres and was later given first aid.
Duran said, “He was immediately transported to a hospital out of county to receive additional treatment and that’s where he’s currently is.”
ICSO said Torres was sedated as of Monday morning and that he is scheduled for surgery.
Meanwhile, deputies are still trying to figure out how Torres was able to hide his knife and how he freed his hands.
“We do know that the suspect produced the knife from his person and that he freed himself from handcuffs. So how he did that we’re still unable to determine,” said Duran.
Torres could be facing up to five criminal charges.
Duran said, “He is facing an additional charge of attempted murder of a police officer in addition to the vehicle theft, the burglary, the resisting arrest and providing false information to a peace officer.”
Deputies said Torres has a prior criminal history.
Duran added, “He’s being sought for, for a robbery and assault with a deadly weapon out of King County. So we’re working with the sheriff’s office from King County Probation Department.”
Imperial County Sheriff’s Office said once Torres is medically cleared, he will be facing charges.
